Justin Snaith and owner Fred Crabbia capped a unique Southern Derby double after the combination were victorious with the Varsfontein Stud-bred Captain Splendid in the R350 000 Gr3 East Cape Derby at Fairview on Sunday. The pair had also clinched the honours in the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby in January with It’s My Turn.
Captain Splendid and Lyle Hewitson cut out a picture of poetry in motion (Pic – Coastal Photos)
On one of the bumper days on the PE racing calendar, a nice sized crowd were present to cheer the lightly raced Captain Splendid home as he charged through late down the inside rail, to give 18 year old apprentice Lyle Hewitson an early career first Group race win – and Justin Snaith a welcome first win in the local classic since True Master in 2013. He earlier won it in 2010 with Robert The Bruce.
There has been much debate as to the rights and wrongs of Hewitson’s claiming allowance, given his ample workrider racing experience, but he showed that he has plenty of confidence and natural ability and made the most of what was a low-pressure decent opportunity from the Snaiths.
Jono Snaith
“I spoke to Lyle on Saturday and made it clear to him that we had a few in the race and he was by no means riding a no-hoper. He followed instructions to drop the gelding out and kept a cool head. A lovely ride,” said assistant trainer Jono Snaith, who was deputising for his brother.
The late withdrawal of Eviction reduced the field to 13 and after Rhumba Magic had towed stablemate Badger Creek and the Gavin Smith runner Seattle Swing along at a decent clip, there was a wholesale fanning out and gunning for position as they came for home.
With the pacemaker drifting out under pressure, Bernard Fayd’herbe made his move down the inside as he brought Elusive Silva through with a decisive early move, chased by Welsh Emperor.
Into the 400m there were many in with a shout as Elusive Silva came under pressure from King Of Chaos and Welsh Emperor.
Crabbia Racing Manager Emma Rorke receives the trophy from RA CEO Larry Wainstein
Andrew Fortune looked to have made the right move as Welsh Emperor stayed on well into the 250m marker with King Of Chaos and Elusive Silva under hard rides.
But just as things were falling into place for Fortune and the Emperor, apprentice Lyle Hewitson appeared from miles back and Captain Splendid finished full of running to win going away by 1,75 lengths in a time of 150,51 secs.
Daily News 2000 entry Welsh Emperor did little wrong but his early exertions in the straight told and he had no resistance to offer against the Cape raider. He stayed on for second.
The Dorrie Sham trained King Of Chaos (who in a lovely touch is part-owned by Crabbia Racing Manager Emma Rorke) ran a gallant race and showed his appreciation for the ground, to shade Vodacom Durban July entrant, Elusive Silva, for third.
The latter was asked to move very early into the straight and he could be better if ridden with more cover. The July looks a longshot at this stage.
The only filly in the race, recent Listed E Cape Oaks winner Solana, stayed on well from miles back in fifth.
Lyle Hewitson – momentous occasion
Local hope Fly Like The Wind flickered briefly in the straight but battled to find his best finish and ran downfield in what was a disappointing performance for his supporters.
Winning rider Lyle Hewitson thanked the Snaiths for the support on what was a memorable day in his short career.
Jono Snaith added his compliments on Hewitson’s cool ride and thanked Fred Crabbia and his racing manager Emma Rorke
Bred by Varsfontein, Captain Splendid is a son of champion Captain Al out of the Fort Wood mare, Justthewayyouare. This talented racemare won four of her eight starts from a mile to 2600m.
An R800 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Captain Splendid has now won 2 races with 4 places from his 8 starts for stakes of R306 625. That tally excludes the R87 500 BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus.
He looks to have a bright future.
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Gr3 East Cape Derby (SAf-Gr3)
Fairview, South Africa, May 15, R350k, 2400m, turf, good, 2.30.51
1 – CAPTAIN SPLENDID (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Justthewayyouare (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Mr A L A Crabbia; Breeder Varsfontein Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey L Hewitson
2 – Welsh Emperor (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Go Deputy (USA) – Welsh Pagan (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
3 – King Of Chaos (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, A P Arrow (USA) – Icy Thunder by Fort Wood (USA)
Margins: 1.75, 1.50, 0.10
